British Airways says it will operate transatlantic flights partially powered by sustainable fuels as early as next year, according to reports. The Guardian said BA will invest in a new US plant to be built in Georgia by LanzaJet “producing commercial-scale volumes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), made from ethanol derived from agricultural and other waste”.
The airline said the fuel would create 70% fewer carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel. However, the report said it is likely to only provide a tiny fraction of BA’s overall fuel needs at first. SAF can be used to substitute for up to 50% of conventional jet fuel but so far demonstration flights have blended only about 5% of the greener fuel.
BA owner, IAG, which has pledged to invest almost £300 million in SAF as part of its bid to decarbonise by 2050, said it would investigate building a refinery with LanzaTech in the UK, as well as a waste-to-fuel plant in partnership with Velocys.